Multiple supply cosmetic container and applicator

ABSTRACT

A container and applicator includes: a reservoir; an applicator; and a base that is able to be coupled to another container and applicator. A multiple supply cosmetic container and applicator includes: a first container and applicator includes: a first base; and a first cap; and a second container and applicator comprising: a second base; and a second cap, wherein the first base is able to be selectively coupled to the second base. A formed cosmetic container and applicator includes: a first cosmetic container and applicator; and a second cosmetic container and applicator, wherein the first cosmetic container and applicator is detachably coupled to the second cosmetic container and applicator, the first cosmetic container and applicator and second cosmetic container and applicator disposed along a linear axis.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/335,173, filed on May 12, 2016.

BACKGROUND

Many cosmetics users may utilize various different types of cosmetics (e.g., lipstick, mascara, powders, etc.). In addition, users may utilize variants within each type (e.g., different shades or colors of cosmetic, cosmetics specialized for particular parts of the body or face, etc.).

Currently, users must store and transport a number of different containers for such differing types or variants of products.

Therefore there exists a need for a container and applicator that is able to house, provide, and/or apply multiple cosmetic products.

SUMMARY

Some embodiments may provide a cosmetic container and applicator. Each container and applicator may include a reservoir, a base, and a cap. The cosmetic container and applicator may be able to be coupled to another such container and/or decoupled therefrom.

The reservoir may store an appropriate amount of a cosmetic product. Different embodiments may include different specific reservoirs, depending on various relevant factors (e.g., size of the container, type of cosmetic product, etc.).

In addition, each container may include one or more applicators, as appropriate. Such applicators may include, for instance, brushes, pads, etc. Containers for formed cosmetics may not require such an applicator, as the formed cosmetic may be applied directly to a user.

The cap may be selectively coupled to the container and applicator, where the cap me be removed from the container and applicator in order to expose the cosmetic product. The cap may have a compression fit coupling to the container.

The base may include various attachment elements that may allow the container and applicator to be coupled to a base of another container and applicator. The attachment elements may include threaded connectors, compression fit connectors, slot and tab connectors, magnets, and/or other appropriate attachment features. The attachment elements may allow a user to compress the bases together in order to join the containers and pull the bases apart to separate the containers. Thus, a user may mix and match various product types and/or variants in a single multiple supply cosmetic container.

Some embodiments may include a cup and shell for use with formed cosmetics. The cup may move along a linear axis within the shell such that an amount of product may be exposed. The cup may be coupled to a manipulator that is able to be moved by a user to control the amount of exposed product.

Some embodiments may include a weighted base such that the multiple supply cosmetic container is properly balanced in the hand of a user.

The preceding Summary is intended to serve as a brief introduction to various features of some exemplary embodiments. Other embodiments may be implemented in other specific forms without departing from the scope of the disclosure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

The exemplary features of the disclosure are set forth in the appended claims. However, for purpose of explanation, several embodiments are illustrated in the following drawings.

FIG. 1 illustrates a front elevation view of a multiple supply cosmetic container and applicator according to an exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 2 illustrates a front elevation view of a container and applicator from the multiple supply cosmetic container and applicator of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 illustrates a side elevation view of the container and applicator of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 illustrates a bottom view of the container and applicator of FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 illustrates a top view of the container and applicator of FIG. 2;

FIG. 6 illustrates a front elevation view of a base from the container and applicator of FIG. 2;

FIG. 7 illustrates a front elevation view of the base of FIG. 6 with a cosmetic applicator exposed;

FIG. 8 illustrates a top view of a cup from the base of FIG. 6; and

FIG. 9 illustrates a side elevation section view of the multiple supply cosmetic container and applicator of FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following detailed description describes currently contemplated modes of carrying out exemplary embodiments. The description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, but is made merely for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of some embodiments, as the scope of the disclosure is best defined by the appended claims.

Broadly, some embodiments generally provide a multiple supply container and/or applicator for cosmetic products that is able to be coupled to various other containers and/or applicators.

A first exemplary embodiment provides a container and applicator comprising: a reservoir; an applicator; and a base that is able to be coupled to another container and applicator.

A second exemplary embodiment provides a multiple supply cosmetic container and applicator comprising: a first container and applicator comprising: a first base; and a first cap; and a second container and applicator comprising: a second base; and a second cap, wherein the first base is able to be selectively coupled to the second base.

A third exemplary embodiment provides a formed cosmetic container and applicator comprising: a first cosmetic container and applicator; and a second cosmetic container and applicator, wherein the first cosmetic container and applicator is detachably coupled to the second cosmetic container and applicator, the first cosmetic container and applicator and second cosmetic container and applicator disposed along a linear axis.

FIG. 1 illustrates a front elevation view of a multiple supply cosmetic container and applicator 100 according to an exemplary embodiment. As shown, this example includes a first (or “top”) container and applicator 110 and a second (or “bottom”) container and applicator 120 disposed along a linear axis 130.

Such a device 100 may be used to store and supply multiple types or variants of cosmetics or other appropriate products. For example, some embodiments may provide lipstick of a first color in the top portion and lipstick of a second color in the bottom portion.

Different embodiments may be implemented in various different ways. For instance, the top and bottom portion may be differently sized than shown (and/or differently sized relative to each other). In addition, different embodiments may be shaped differently, include various different components, and/or otherwise be modified without departing from the scope of the disclosure.

As another example, the top and bottom portions may include different types of reservoirs and/or applicators as appropriate. For instance, the top portion may provide lipstick while the bottom portion provides mascara. Each reservoir may be able to store various types of products or materials. For instance, some reservoirs may be associated with formed products such as lipsticks, pencils, or sticks, other reservoirs may be associated with fluid products such as mascaras, lotions, gels, or creams, while still other reservoirs may be associated with dry products such as powders, rouges, or blushes.

FIG. 2 illustrates a front elevation view of a container and applicator 110 from the multiple supply cosmetic container and applicator 100. In this example, the first container and applicator 110 is identical to the second container and applicator 120. As shown, the container and applicator 110 may include a base 210, a cover 220, a manipulator 230, and an attachment element 240.

FIG. 3 illustrates a side elevation view of the container and applicator 110.

FIG. 4 illustrates a bottom view of the container and applicator 110. As shown, the container and applicator 110 may include an attachment receptacle 410.

FIG. 5 illustrates a top view of the container and applicator 110. In this example, the top includes a decorative element.

The base 210 may be made of plastic, metal, and/or other appropriately rigid materials. In this example, the base has a cylindrical shape appropriate for a cosmetic such as lipstick. Other bases may be shaped differently for other products (e.g., round, square, etc.).

The base may be coupled to the base of the other container and applicator (i.e., container and applicator 120 in this example). In this example, the bases are coupled using a tab 240 and receptacle 410 attachment feature. Although the tab 240 and receptacle 410 are identical across multiple bases 210 in this example, in some embodiments one base 210 may have a male connector (e.g., a tab) and the second base 210 may have a female connector (e.g., a receptacle) and/or other types of connectors. The bases 210 may be coupled in various appropriate ways (e.g., magnetically, using a threaded connection, using a compression fit connection, using tabs and slots, etc.). In addition, the bases may be able to be decoupled such that each container and applicator (e.g., container and applicator 110 or container and applicator 120) may be used independently.

The cover 220 may be made of plastic, metal, and/or other appropriately rigid materials. The cover may be able to be coupled to the base 210 in various appropriate ways (e.g., compression fit, threaded connection, magnetically, etc.) such that the cover may be removed to access the stored product. In some embodiments, the cover 220 may include an applicator (e.g., a mascara brush, a powder brush, etc.).

In some embodiments, product may be stored in the cover 220 and accessed with an applicator that is coupled to the base 210 (and/or embedded into the base).

The manipulator 230 may expose the stored product and/or otherwise make the product available for use. In this example, the manipulator is a sliding element that exposes stored lipstick. Other embodiments may include other appropriate manipulators (e.g., screw-type manipulators that may expose formed products such as lipsticks, spray buttons, etc.).

Some embodiments may omit the manipulator. For instance, products such as fluids or powders may simply be exposed by removing the cover 220 without requiring any other manipulation of the product. Such products may be accessed using an applicator of some embodiments.

The attachment element 240 and the attachment receptacle 410 may allow the bases 210 to be selectively coupled and decoupled. In this example, the attachment element 240 is a protruding prong or tab with an associated cavity 410. The attachment elements 240 and receptacles 410 may provide a compression fit in this example that is able to be secured by pushing the bases 210 together and released by pulling the bases away from each other.

Some embodiments may include alignment elements (e.g., protruding pins and associated receptacles) such that the bases 210 are aligned. Such alignment elements may be appropriate when using magnetically coupled bases, for example.

FIG. 6 illustrates a front elevation view of a base 210 from the container and applicator 110. In this view, the cap 220 has been removed. As shown, the base 210 may include a product container (or “cup”) 610, a shell 620, sets of stops 630, and a manipulator channel 640.

The cup 610 may be made of plastic, metal, and/or other appropriately rigid materials. In this example, the cup is able to slide along an axis 130 in order to expose the product for use. Different products may have different types or configurations of cup 610 depending on various relevant parameters associated with the product (e.g., form, application method, etc.). In this example, the cup is coupled to the manipulator 230 such that the cup 610 may be moved along with the manipulator 230. In this way, a user may move the manipulator along axis 130 in order to extend or retract the stored product (and/or applicator, if appropriate).

The shell 620 may be made of plastic, metal, and/or other appropriately rigid materials. In this example, the shell has a hollow cylindrical shape matching a lipstick product. The cup 610 and shell 620 may be sized such that the cup 610 may be moved along axis 130 within the shell 620.

The stops 630 may define various positions along axis 130 related to use and/or storage of the product. In this example, the stops 630 are associated with three separate positions—fully retracted, partially extended, and fully extended. In this way, the lipstick may be moved from a retracted position to a variably extended position (up to the fully extended position). Different embodiments may include different numbers of stops (and/or other appropriate elements that may limit the motion of the cup). Depending on the type of manipulator, applicator, etc., different embodiments may have different stop positions. For example, a screw-type manipulator and cup may be able to be moved continuously along axis 130 without having defined stops aside from a fully retracted and fully extended position.

Some embodiments may include features (e.g., a small plastic tail in the back of the cup) that prevent the cup 610 from sliding down when in use. The movement may be controlled using a slide, twist, and/or other appropriate control element. Such a delivery feature may be associated with a formed product such as a stick, pencil, etc.

The channel 640 may allow the manipulator 230 to be moved along axis 130 within the shell 620. Some embodiments may omit the channel when appropriate (e.g., when a screw-type manipulator is used).

FIG. 7 illustrates a front elevation view of the base 210 with a cosmetic applicator 710 exposed. As shown, the manipulator 230 is positioned at a partially extended stop 630.

FIG. 8 illustrates a top view of a cup 640 from the base 210. As shown, in this example, the cup 640 may include an outer wall 810, a storage cavity 820, and a post 830. The cup 640 may be positioned within the shell 620 of base 210 such that the cup is able to be moved within the shell 620 along axis 130.

The outer wall 810 may be made of plastic, metal, and/or other appropriately rigid materials. The outer wall in this example is cylindrically shaped to match a typical lipstick. Different embodiments may have differently shaped and/or sized outer walls.

The storage cavity 820 may be defined by an inner surface of the outer wall 810 and a base of the outer wall. The storage cavity 820 may be appropriately sized and/or shaped such that an appropriate amount of product may be stored and/or applied. Different product may have different types, shapes, sizes, etc. of storage cavity. For instance, “stick” type product may have a cylindrical cavity. As another example, power products (e.g., rouge, eye shadow, etc.) may be associated with square cavities. As still another example, fluid products (e.g., lip gloss) may be associated with round cavities.

The coupling (or “post”) 830 may couple the wall 810 to the manipulator 230. In this example, the manipulator is able to slide along channel 640. Other embodiments may include different types of couplings depending on the type of manipulator, product, and/or other relevant factors. For instance, a screw-type manipulator may be enclosed within the shell 620. Embodiments that omit the manipulator will obviously omit any coupling.

Different embodiments may have various different delivery features. For instance, lotions or creams may simply be provided by exposing the material (e.g., by removing a cap). Products such as mascaras may be provided via an applicator coupled to the cap 220 (and/or other appropriate elements). Other products may include various brushes or pads that may be coupled to various other elements such as the cap and/or housed within the reservoir 610 when not in use.

FIG. 9 illustrates a side elevation section view of the multiple supply cosmetic container and applicator 100. In this example that may be used with a lipstick, each container and applicator may include a base 210, weight 910, cup 610, shell 620, and cap 220.

Each weight 910 may be positioned and/or sized such that the multiple supply cosmetic container and applicator 100 is balanced in the hand of a user. For multiple supply cosmetic container and applicators with differently sized reservoirs (and/or for reservoirs storing different products), the weights may be differently sized and/or positioned than each other. The weight may be an appropriately sized piece of metal or other suitable material. The weight may have an appropriate mass depending on the cosmetic product, amount of stored product, size of the container, etc. In one exemplary embodiment of a lipstick container, the weight may have a mass of two and a half grams.

The cup 610 and shell 620 in this example may together form the reservoir. Different embodiments may include different specific components (e.g., a cavity and screw-on cap).

The foregoing relates to illustrative details of exemplary embodiments and modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the disclosure as defined by the following claims. 

I claim:
 1. A container and applicator comprising: a reservoir; an applicator; and a base that is able to be coupled to another container and applicator.
 2. The container and applicator of claim 1, wherein the base comprises a first protruding tab and a first tab receptacle and the base is able to be coupled to another base comprising a second protruding tab and second tab receptacle by engaging the first protruding tab and the second tab receptacle and the second protruding tab and the first tab receptacle.
 3. The container and applicator of claim 1, wherein the reservoir comprises: a cup that is able to secure a formed cosmetic product; a shell that is able to house a portion of the formed cosmetic product; and a manipulator that is able to move the cup within the shell along a linear axis.
 4. The container and applicator of claim 3, wherein the shell comprises a channel that runs along the linear axis and is able to accept at least a portion of the manipulator.
 5. The container and applicator of claim 1, wherein the container and applicator has a cylindrical shape.
 6. The container and applicator of claim 1 further comprising a removable cap.
 7. The container and applicator of claim 1, wherein the base comprises a weight.
 8. A multiple supply cosmetic container and applicator comprising: a first container and applicator comprising: a first base; and a first cap; and a second container and applicator comprising: a second base; and a second cap, wherein the first base is able to be selectively coupled to the second base.
 9. The multiple supply cosmetic container and applicator of claim 8, wherein: the first base comprises a first protruding tab and a first tab receptacle, the second base comprises a second protruding tab and second tab receptacle, the first base is able to be selectively coupled to the second base by engaging the first protruding tab with the second tab receptacle and the second protruding tab with the first tab receptacle, and the first base is able to be selectively decoupled from the second base by disengaging the first protruding tab from the second tab receptacle and the second protruding tab from the first tab receptacle.
 10. The multiple supply cosmetic container and applicator of claim 8, wherein: the first container and applicator further comprises a first applicator, and the second container and applicator further comprises a second applicator.
 11. The multiple supply cosmetic container and applicator of claim 10, wherein the first applicator comprises a first formed cosmetic product and the second applicator comprises a second formed cosmetic product.
 12. The multiple supply cosmetic container and applicator of claim 11, wherein: the first container and applicator comprises a first manipulator that selectively exposes the first formed cosmetic product, and the second container and applicator comprises a second manipulator that selectively exposes the second formed cosmetic product.
 13. The multiple supply cosmetic container and applicator of claim 12, wherein: the first manipulator is coupled to a first cup that is able to move within a first shell, and the second manipulator is coupled to a second cup that is able to move within a second shell.
 14. The multiple supply cosmetic container and applicator of claim 8, wherein the first base comprises a first weight and the second base comprises a second weight.
 15. A formed cosmetic container and applicator comprising: a first cosmetic container and applicator; and a second cosmetic container and applicator, wherein the first cosmetic container and applicator is detachably coupled to the second cosmetic container and applicator, the first cosmetic container and applicator and second cosmetic container and applicator disposed along a linear axis.
 16. The formed cosmetic container and applicator of claim 15, wherein: the first cosmetic container and applicator comprises a first base having a first attachment element, the second cosmetic container and applicator comprises a second base having a second attachment element, and the first base is able to be coupled to the second base at the first attachment element and the second attachment element.
 17. The formed cosmetic container and applicator of claim 16, wherein: the first attachment element comprises at least one of a first threaded connector, first magnet, first tab and slot, and a first compression fit connector, and the second attachment element comprises at least one of a second threaded connector, second magnet, second tab and slot, and a second compression fit connector.
 18. The formed cosmetic container and applicator of claim 15, wherein: the first cosmetic container and applicator comprises a first removable cap, and the second cosmetic container and applicator comprises a second removable cap.
 19. The formed cosmetic container and applicator of claim 15, wherein: the first cosmetic container and applicator comprises a first weight, and the second cosmetic container and applicator comprises a second weight.
 20. The formed cosmetic container and applicator of claim 15, wherein: the first cosmetic container and applicator comprises: a first cup that is able to secure a first formed cosmetic product; a first shell that is able to house a portion of the first formed cosmetic product; and a first manipulator that is able to move the first cup within the first shell along a linear axis, and the second cosmetic container and applicator comprises: a second cup that is able to secure a second formed cosmetic product; a second shell that is able to house a portion of the second formed cosmetic product; and a second manipulator that is able to move the second cup within the second shell along the linear axis. 